amateur diagnosis...

... as a result of group effort by the people on the front lines at the home of the patient in Virginia. We were desperately trying to figure out what was going on with this guy, and concluded perhaps he had a UTI. Not uncommon at all, as I often hear of them occurring in people who do not drink enough to sufficiently hydrate, causing them to not (sorry if this is too personal) generate enough urine to keep all the parts running smoothly. I don't think that is why it happened this week, as we continually ply him with liquid: the two cups of coffee he likes in the mornings, and constantly refilling his mug with H2O.

Just a combination of factors lead us to conclude that might be the problem, and try to get a request for Rx resolution in the pipeline. Hopefully our supposing was right, as the situation improved within twelve hours of getting started on antibiotics. One of the sons came in late yesterday afternoon, to put in an overnight shift and give his mom a break.Reporting he slept better than he had in recently.

At this point I am sincerely hoping they had a conversation about the possibility and benefits of a short period of inpatient care. She is pretty much running on empty. I know my being there gave her the opportunity to spend a little time with her dad, who she has seen little of since the holidays when their lives changed so radically with medical scans and diagnosis. But there will have to be some plans made for regular relief for the caregiver or she is going to end up being a patient too.

When I considered (and had a conversation with my smart cousin in Decatur) the situation, I decided to suggest to the sons they should talk, be forceful with trying to persuade her she needs to take better care of herself in order to be there for him. One of the great benefits of assigning all your medical care (and benefits) to hospice is the option of getting the patient into their facility for round the clock attention by trained staffers. They will see what she has been struggling with, plus they can do a good assessment and work out what is best for him to manage the symptoms he is dealing with. Making him and his meds. easier to handle will have a huge impact on what she is living with day to day.

I know he does not want to leave home, does not want to get back into an air-conditioned gown (I'm sure you get to take your own pj's) or be away from her. And she does not want him to go any place. But I also know caregivers need care. In my opinion, Rule # 1 of being the On Duty Person is that you need to be willing to ask for and accept help.Their church family has been great about bringing in meals, making food prep a breeze for a man who seems bottomless as a result of being on appetite- inducing steroids. Relief comes in many forms, and being able to get away for a breather is essential to sanity.